Thursday, June 28, 2007

Video: EPMD Freestyle (DJ Scratch & Prem' on the 1's + 2's)

Young Americans Lean Left

According to a poll conducted by MTV, CBS, and the New York Times, youth support in the next presidential election is split almost evenly between Barack Obama (18%) and Hillary Clinton(17%).

If the election were held today, a majority of 17 to 29-year-olds (54 percent) say they'd vote for the Democratic candidate, while 32 percent would vote Republican. (Source)

Not so fast. What liberal pundits forget to tell you is that, young Americans are not as interested in politics as they make it seem. How else do you explain the 45% of the polled who said they were uninterested in any of the candidates? That's higher than all the people who indicated support for Clinton, Obama, Giuliani, Thompson, and Romney combined.

Understandably, young people don't trust the political landscape, and it'll take more than some exciting statistics to win over their trust and solidarity.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

And the Summer Jam of '07 Award Goes to...

Coming from a guy who never really understood the whole anti-big-forehead campaign, take this with a large grain of salt.

Yeah, yeah, yeah I'm aware that Rihanna's vocal range is ridiculously shallow, but that's all "Umbrella" needed--for Rih to remain in her comfort zone. Minimalist pop music at its best. I don't need these pop crooners getting all melismatic in my ear all the time. Sometimes, less is more.

For his part, Hov does nothing to add or detract from this track. In fact, whenever "Umbrella" comes on, I usually forget that he had anything to do with it until I'm painfully reminded by that uninspired verse of his. Still, the man deserves some points on effort, if only for his ability to bob and weave on an instro that's neither hip-hop nor R&B. I wouldn't go as far as saying that he's presence was irrelevant, seeing as "Umbrella" and its gajillions of remixes helped land Rih-Rih her best first week figures. Ever.

Maybe it's the fact that she's finally embraced her weaknesses as a vocalist by redirecting her energy elsewhere to melody and warmth.

Pharoahe Monch Contest

Who wants an autographed copy of Desire?

The good folks at Cornerstone Promotions have hooked us up with three signed copies of Pharoahe Monch's new album, Desire (in stores today), as well as free copies of the limited edition Gun Draws newspaper (see pic above).

Take your best shot at these Monch chi chi-related questions for a chance to win:

1) In a bid to capture a Rocky Balboa raw feel for his album, Pharoahe Monch recorded the bulk of Internal Affairs in:

a) a low-budget studiob) a closetc) a boxing ringd) a dressing room

2) How many songs did Pharoahe Monch ghostwrite on Diddy's Press Play?

Friday, June 22, 2007

Carter vs. Carter?

Rap music is something ain't itThe way these pictures is paintedYou swear these n***as was dangerousThe gangsta sh*t they be sayingLock em up in the booth with a half an ounce of that cannabisSit back, and watch the outlandish sh*t they portrayingBut, soon as you see 'em they freeze up like in museumsThem statues, you like "Is that the dude that said he was gonna—"(sound effect)N***as be running before you finish the sentenceAnd then they back to reefin' when they off to the safe distanceYou like, "you was just here, but you disappear like magicians in thin air"I'm like, "Damn n***a please keep it consistent"I hear you baiting me latelyI've been doing my best just to stay hater-freeStill, watch what you say to meSooner or later, I'll take you up on your offerAnd put you all in your placeLike I'm replacing your fatherYou talking to the author, the architect of The BlueprintMy DNA in your musicM****f***a you stupid

T.I. + Jay-Z - Watch What You Say

The song is called "Watch What You Say," so in the spirit of sticking to themes, Hov seized the opportunity to put loud-mouth adversaries in their place. Absolutely one of the best post-retirement verses from the 2007 Camel Cameo King.

Oh yeah, let's add Tip to the long list of rappers who've been murdered on their own tracks by Jay.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Cuban Linx 6-21-07

-50 puts his weight up in Righteous Kill, a movie featuring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. 50 is expected to play a drug dealer in the movie, even though he originally signed on to play a 5-0. [NY Daily News]

Shots Fired: KRS-One vs. Jeff Chang

Like he usually does to music journalists every couple of months, KRS-One took some shots at Jeff Chang. Jeff responds like the educated scholar he is. Reading the Teacha's rant constantly reminded me of his feud with Adisa Banjoko.

Seriously though, someone needs to put that KRS/Adisa soundbite on a rap record (as an intro): "What I wanna do is jump over this table and whip your f***in ass, that's what I wanna do." Classic.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

107 Reasons to Add Trae to Your Playlist

Reason #19: see above

A friend once told me that he hadn't heard enough from Trae to decide whether or not he's worth checking for. So I've strewn together a buncha new songs from the self-proclaimed Asshole by Nature for your listening pleasure. Some of these tracks are also featured on his second Rap-A-Lot album, Life Goes On, due out someday.

>>Bartender (Freestyle)I don't really care for the real "Bartender," but I guess it's traditional to freejack popular songs these days to prove your versatility. Sounds like something he wrote after a long night out at HK.

>>Swang (Remix) ft. Jim Jones & H-Town All-StarsTrae called up his all-star friends--Bun B, Slim Thug, Pimp C, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, and Jim Jones--to appease those folks who felt defrauded when they realized that the version of "Swang" they fell in love with didn't was missing from Restless. I'm not sure why Chamillionaire is not on this remiix (beef?). And Jimmy might as well migrate to the south. We've got rebates on used kufis down here.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Chamillionaire ft. Slick Rick - Hip-Hop Police

"Not a Criminal" didn't connect with his audience, so Chamillionaire did the smart thing. Reset his campaign, recruited certified hit-machine JR Rotem, and unleashed a new lead single. This time, he also hooked up with one of the greatest storytellers of all time, MC Ricky D himself.

Sounds like "Ridin' Pt. II," but it's definitely an upgrade from "Not a Criminal."

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Today in Hip-Hop: June 17th

- On this day in 1965, the Beatles began to record the track ‘Michelle’ for their album ‘Rubber Soul.’ The song was later sampled for Doug E. Fresh’s classic cut ‘The Show’ as well as for Wyclef Jean’s ‘Gone Till November’ featuring Canibus and R. Kelly.

- On this day in 1972, Bobby Womack’s single ‘Woman’s Gotta Have It’ shot to the top of Billboard’s R&B singles chart. The song would later be sampled for both 50 Cent (on the track ‘What If’) and fellow Unit member Lloyd Banks (on the track ‘Anotha Dolla’).

- On this day in 1973, Leathaface a.k.a. Silent Killer a.k.a. the Grandaddy of the Midwest a.k.a. Krayzie Bone was born. Happy birthday Thug!

- On this day in 1994, O.J. Simpson led a car chase in his white Ford Bronco. It would later be thoroughly mentioned by various emcees. PMD spit: “Set the pace like O.J. in the Bronco chase.” U-God: “The rap O.J., in the dusty Bronco/ Bang on my chest like the King of Kongo.” Cassidy: “Hop out the Bronco, I’ll O.J. ‘em when I see ‘em.” Pusha T of the Clipse: “In Virginia, we smirked at that Simpson trial/ Yeah, I guess the chase was wild.” One more (I don’t wanna take up too much space) by Rampage: “I’m in the Bronco with O.J.” Respect to anyone who can find more chase-specific O.J. mentions in a hip-hop song... ;-D

- On this day in 1997, Capone-N-Noreaga dropped the street classic ‘The War Report’ featuring production by board legends Marley Marl, DJ Clark Kent & Lord Finesse, among others. One of the albums highlights was the Mobb Deep-backed vehement cross-coast diss track titled “L.A. L.A.”

- On this day in 2003, Daniel Dumille, best known as MF DOOM, released ‘Take Me to Your Leader’, the first of his albums under the alias “King Geedorah.”

- On this day in 2004, the Wu-Tang Clan released ‘Disciples…Chapter 1’, a recording of their set at the Rock the Bells concert in 2004. The Clan will meet again to Rock the Bells once more this summer.

- On this day in 2006, Chamillionaire’s single ‘Ridin’’ dropped off from its number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 after staying up there for two weeks. The track featured Bone Thug’s own Krayzie Bone who, as stated above, celebrates his birthday on the same day.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Saigon Signs With Violator Management

First things first, I wanna put shit in its proper perspective ...Just Blaze is not only my friend and my producer...But he is a GREAT example of a black man..I know alot of people hear his name and his music and assume that Blaze means he must smoke some POWERFUL shit before he goes into make a beat but your talking about a man who never smoked weed in his life...He has never drank alcohol in his life. he has extensive morals and is VERY family oriented.. If I had a child and were looking for someone to set an example of what it means to be a stand up guy, I couldnt think of anyone better than Justin Smith aka Just Blaze to do so....I know yall see the back and forth shit between us and I admit I was stupid for my part in it...But its like 2 brothers fighting in the street when they couldve went inside the house and shot 5 in their bedroom...You will NEVER see that again so I hope you enjoyed it...I love Just Blaze to death and I will bleed or make someone else bleed for that dude...Not because he makes good beats or he produced my album, but because he has a big heart...Im cool with his Mom, Brother and Auntie (who is super cool).... And since I was dumb enough to engage in this online public fued..Im man enough to use the same forum to apologize to him for not just calling him and expressing whatever I felt was wrong..If you read this my Nigga, I apologize..Real spit...U my nigga..

Now on to the point of this Blog....With my now VERY public discontent with not the label, but MY personal sitiuation at the label, I figured I needed to get some BIG guns to help my sitiuation.. Im sure there will be more understanding now hahaha...

I remember when I first came out of prison my friend Che Johnson brought me to meet Chris Lighty and I was in awe just to be meeting someone so powerful in the music business..(plus Im a huge Jungle Brothers and Tribe Called Quest fan so I was extra hype)....I dont even know if he remembers this but he was telling me how his client N.O.R.E lived right down the street from him or something to that effect...I was so intrigued by all the platinum plaques on the walls I was only half paying attention, mind you I was about 2 weeks out from doing a very loooooooooooong time in prison...My point is, I never in my life thought this guy would be managing my career one day....Yes its officially official..I am now managed by Violator and the stakes are higher than ever...Its a problem, TRUST.....God works in mysterious ways but he works..hahahaha..Im very proud to be a part of such a prestigous comany who has put in so much work in the business...Not only has Violator stood the test of time, they also are innovating the wave of the future so as we say in hood "Im good Money"......Ive pretty much been managing myself this whole time (6 years) and already in this short time (a week), Ive already seen a world of difference...Thank You Laurie Dobbins for the insight you have already given me ...Lets make some more history...Thank You Theo (my high powered attorney haahaha) for the plug in....Thank You Chris for the opportunity, I know youre a busy busy man.....Prieciate it Homie..Lets make it....All hate is welcomed..Thanks....

Today in Hip-Hop: June 13th

This one's only for the heads. Enjoy the first installment:

- On this day in 1981, Rick James' smash hit 'Give it 2 Me Baby' topped Billboard's R&B Singles chart. It stayed up there for the following four weeks. It would later become a key sample for hip-hop tracks such as Jay-Z's 'I Just Wanna Love U', MC Hammer's 'Let's Get it Started' & DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince's 'All That'.

- On this day in 1988, hip-hop/r&b/soul group Guy released their eponymous debut record. The album featured the single 'Teddy's Jam' which was later sampled by the Bomb Squad for Public Enemy's classic track 'Fight the Power'. The song 'Piece of My Love' was also chopped up for Cali's own Ice Cube on his track 'Turn Off the Radio'.

- On this day in 1992, R. Kelly's single 'Honey Love' reached #1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs list. The track was also featured on the hood-flick-classic Menace II Society.

- On this day in 1995, the track 'So Many Tears' from 2pac's classic album Me Against the World was released. 'Hard to Imagine' and 'If I Die 2nite' were the single's B-sides.

- On this day in 1999, the realms of hip-hop and wrestling collided: Master P took it to the ring and made his wrestling debut.

- On this day in 2000, Slum Village released their second album Fantastic, Vol. II. Rest in peace Dilla! By mere coincidence, future collaborator Madlib released his alter ego Quasimoto's debut album The Unseen on the very same day.

- Also on this day in 2000, Memphis, Tennessee's own Three 6 Mafia released their fourth album When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1. A triumph for southern hip-hop, it not only earned Three 6 Mafia their first platinum plaque, it became the first platinum hip-hop album out of Memphis.

- On this day in 2006, Aftermath Entertainment released Busta Rhymes' The Big Bang. Meaning what? Aftermath hasn't dropped anything over the course of the past year...as of yet at least...

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Go Spurs Go!!!

Videos: Guru + Common / Young Buck + Latoiya

Guru + Common - 'State of Clarity'

Off the fourth installment of Guru's renowned Jazzmatazz series, this collabo track has been in my heavy rotation for a while and should be in yours. The video to match is superb to say the least. A throwback to the good ol' days, it's unreal: cartoons never looked and sounded so grimy.

Enjoy (and just be yourself)!

EDIT: The video utilizes various clips from Robert Crumb's 'Fritz the Cat' (Big ups to our pal James for the find! ;-P)

Next up we've got:

Young Buck + Latoiya Williams - 'U Ain't Goin' Nowhere'

Sure it's a pretty weak track, but hey, I gotta keep things balanced, right? At least you can get to see Buck Marley dancing by the sea..... (pause)... You might wanna crawl back up to that Guru vid.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Calling All Graphic Designers!

The Rap Up is in the process of finishing up a mixtape titled "Summer Soundtrack 2007". Mostly commercial music (Chris Brown, 50 Cent, R. Kelly) with a few "purists" (Kanye, Pharoahe Monch), the mixtape should be released within a few days. All we need is a fresh cover for it, and I'm leaving it up to our beloved readers to give it a go. Send what you got to ivan1087 at gmail dot com

Rest In Peace: Stack Bundles

From SOHH:

While details surrounding the emcee's murder have yet to be revealed, a representative at his label has confirmed his passing with SOHH.

Bundles, who hails from Queens, made a name for himself in New York's mixtape circuit via collaborations with DJ Clue, Fabolous and Joe Budden. After recently signing to Jim Jones' Byrd Gang Records, Bundles has appeared on Jones' third album, Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment) and The Dipset Xmas album.

Bundles' untimely death has overwhelmed his friends and fans who have left their heartfelt condolences on his MySpace page.

"R.I.P. my dude. You was going hard, sad to see you got caught up like that," said HOT 16 aka Yung 6. "I always seen the Porsche parked in front of a studio all day, everyday. It made me think I was sleepin on rap. Gone but not forgotten. Much love from the Co-Star Family."

"R.I.P Stack. It's a shame, you were at your peak and look what happens. Still listening to all your mixtapes," posted Straight Out Of Brooklyn.

-Yet another old one: Andre 3000 will play Sammy Davis Jr. in an upcoming film. If that weren't enough, Damon Dash is said to be the director. Meaning what? Only Biggs & Jigga can save the day!

- Not news: for all my people out there who enjoy reading (or wanna make a nice little hustle, lol), this site (which I recently found out about) is updated frequently with current coupons at Borders book store. Bookmark it! Coupons also work for CDs and DVDs, so even if you're illiterate, you'd be stupid to pass this up.

- Ahem, and finally, the San Antonio Spurs win the NBA Finals.....within 10 days from now...(thought I should clarify that ;-D). Cav fans and stans/Lebron groupies: prove me wrong!

Sunday, June 10, 2007

one love

it is with great sappiness that i announce the interim departure of your beloved blogger riz matic from the blogosphere. the time-off, needed to pacify some personal proceedings, is expected to commence on the 10th day of june, in the year of our Lord 2007. i shall return 7 days thereafter (which translates to eternity in blogger terms).

meanwhile, resident TRUbian ivan rott will be on hand to provide you with ample arrest stories and vanity fair cover updates to keep you satiated until i come back like kris styles wearing the 45.

Ring the Alarm: New Kanye feat. John Mayer!

He dropped a verse on Def Poetry back in the day. He circulated a snippet to tease us back in 2005.But now, the track has been released in it's entirety. 'Ye is officially 3 for 3 as is T.R.U. for keeping their ears to the streets (well, in this case, the internet). ;-D

Hurry Up! Bidding Ends Soon!!!

Big Sty Doesn't Care About Asians

They say when you advertise power, you're probably substituting for the lack of it. In Big Sty's case, I'd say it's just a reflection of the harsh realities we live in, as you're not very likely to meet an Asian chick that'll let you put a leash on her neck.

(You know if this was a 50 Cent album cover, he'd be on CNN right now defending the "harsh realities" and the "artistic" nature of his work.)

Friday, June 08, 2007

100% Diss, No Additives

Picking the most scathing diss songs of the last three decades is no easy task. After drawing swords and fighting over inclusions and rankings for days, QSM and da Rizzness finally reached a reasonable compromise. Head over to Street Census to see if your favorite battle tracks made the cut.

Free Paris!

If Paris had some street cred (collab'ing with Joey Crack doesn't equate street cred), I would've asked, "Who'd you snitch on to come home?" But since she's a no-talent celebretard, the appropriate question should be, "Who'd you...(um, how do I put this nicely?)...f**k to get out?"

On second thought, none of that would apply (who would really wanna take the risk of contracting herpes?), but folks are speculating that family money did the trick.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Gym Class Heroes ft. Guru - Cupid's Chokehold (Remix)

For the uninitiated, Solar is the architect behind Guru's post-Premier soundscape. (Haters, sharpen your pitchforks.) I can't say that this remix is more effective than the original, but it definitely adds a fresh perspective to the song.

Video: Strong Arm Steady f/ Talib Kweli - One Step

"13 and the lil' homie doing what the pimps do/Sweet-talking girls..."

I think Kron's talking about me. Ha! In fact, I've renewed my subscription to Albino Hip-Hop Weekly because of K-Don.

Seriously, the Strong Arm Steady crew--Mitchy Slick, Phil da Agony, and Krondon (Xzibit bounced for some inexplicable reason)--is about to Dipset the entire game. And Kweli...well, he still doesn't know how to waste a verse.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Jigga Man Graces Vanity Fair

President Carter will be featured on 2 of the 20 covers in the upcoming July issue of Vanity Fair.Shot by Annie Liebovitz, the famed photographer who captured a pose with John Lennon and Yoko Ono mere hours before he was shot and killed, as well as the stirring photo of Tupac in Suge's car in Vegas (okay, fine, maybe that wasn't her), the covers feature Hov's homies, actor George Clooney and R&B songstress Alicia Keys. Also featured are presidential hopeful Barack Obama, presidential nopeful George Bush, and many others.Who reads Vanity Fair? Nobody! But if you'd like to get educated on matters concerning the state of affairs in Africa, this issue may be the one for you.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Video: Akon Keeps It Gully with a Boy

Akon picks on people his own size. Word has it that the kid threw a piece of pretzel at 'Kon, which led to the mandatory crowd-surfing you see in the clip. To paraphrase my friend Joey, it's crazy that he couldn't have done it with his shirt on.

On second thought, this whole thing looks like a stunt. How the hell did Akon's DJ know that he'd be feeling "Lonely" after that incident if it wasn't staged?

Disclaimer:

Audio files on this site are for promotional/evaluation purposes only. All photos are copyrighted to their respective owners. If you'd like your audio/photo removed from The Rap Up, please contact me at rizoh1@gmail.com.